Report: No Financial Support From NHL To PWHL

The NHL is providing as much support as possible in aiding the PWHL to get off the ground successfully in January, aside from financial support.

While the PWHL furiously works toward their launch in January 2024, the relationship between the PWHL and NHL continues to find footing. While that relationship will have a number of forms, financial support is not one of the connections.

According to the Associated Press, "The NHL is not providing financial backing for the league, which is owned by Walter, but it is helping in other ways."

With the PWHL operating with a single entity ownership under the Mark Walter Group, financial support would, in essence, be supporting the financial gain of the Mark Walter Group, including Mark Walter whose net worth is estimated at approximately $5.8 billion USD.

The NHL however, is prepared to help in logistics, collaborative events and promotion, and problem solving as the PWHL builds toward season one.

“It’s really to be there in any way we can to help facilitate the progression of the league,” Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly told the Associated Press. “They’re working on a very ambitious timeline to get a league up and running and do all the things you need to do to to make that happen.”

From the day the PWHL was announced, board member Stan Kasten has unequivocally stated the NHL and commissioner Gary Bettman have provided support on every front possible and remained in constant contact with the PWHL.

Among the potential shared initiatives this season will include neutral site games in NHL arenas, PWHL participation at the Winter Classic in Seattle, and at the 2024 NHL All-Star game in Toronto.